On Linear Operators in Hilbert Spaces and Their Applications in OFDM Wireless Networks

Abstract

This paper explores the application of Hilbert topological spaces and linear operator algebra in the modelling and analysis of OFDM signals and wireless channels, where the channel is considered as a linear time-invariant (LTI) system. The wireless channel, when subjected to an input OFDM signal, can be described as a mapping from an input Hilbert space to an output Hilbert space, with the system response governed by linear operator theory. By employing the mathematical framework of Hilbert spaces, we formalise the representation of OFDM signals, which are interpreted as elements of an infinite-dimensional vector space endowed with an inner product. The LTI wireless channel is characterised by using bounded linear operators on these spaces, allowing for the decomposition of complex channel behaviour into a series of linear transformations. The channel’s impulse response is treated as a kernel operator, facilitating a functional analysis approach to understanding the signal transmission process. This representation enables a more profound understanding of channel effects, such as fading and interference, through the eigenfunction expansion of the operator, leading to a spectral characterization of the channel. The algebraic properties of linear operators are leveraged to develop optimal solutions for mitigating channel distortion effects.